2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige

The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige is a fabulous blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre that was brought up all in foudre. A classic Chateauneuf du Pape, with garrigue, leather, underbrush and gorgeous Grenache-driven fruit all front and center, it is medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, and has good acidity and fine tannin that show on the finish. Drinking nicely, it should continue to evolve for another 4-6 years easily. These two superb efforts were made by Didier Negron, who’s the son-in-law of Jean-Jacques Sabon and started making the wines as of the 2001 vintage. Both are gorgeous wines, with the Cuvee Prestige more classic in style, and the Le Secret des Sabon slightly more elegant and perfumed, with big Grenache flair. The domaine can produce up to four red Chateauneufs du Papes and a white in any given vintage.

Excellent and my favorite 04 from Sabon. Beautifully textured, rich and long.

Deep ruby. Lush raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with hints of candied plum, espresso, flowers and dark chocolate. An impressively rich Chateauneuf, with powerful dark fruit flavors perked up by refreshing mineral lift on the back and nicely supported by supple tannins. Rich and chewy on the finish, with lingering notes of smoke, meat and cherry liqueur. Serious stuff, and in need of cellaring.